Agile accessibility: Being digital by default (2013)
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Transcript of Agile accessibility: Being digital by default (2013)
Agile accessibility: Being digital by default
Léonie Watson, Director of Accessibility Nomensa
@LeonieWatson @we_are_Nomensa
Building accessibility into Gov.UK
Gov.UK alpha: Objectives
To openly test a prototype of a UK Government website;
To design and build it using open technologies and agile techniques;
To shape it all with an obsession for meeting user's needs.
Gov.UK alpha: Outcomes
Within two months, 100,000 people visited the alpha;
Nearly 1000 people left structured feedback, and 3000 more gave feedback via Twitter.
Gov.UK alpha : Accessibility
Of the top ten problems reported, accessibility was fifth, and colour contrast was tenth.
Gov.UK beta: Goals
To make the most easy to use, accessible Government website there has ever been;
a box marked "accessible" isn’t enough. It has to be useful for everyone and usable by everyone.
Gov.UK beta: Design principles
Accessible design is good design. We should build a product that’s as inclusive, legible and readable as possible. If we have to sacrifice elegance - so be it.
Gov.UK beta: Accessibility champions
We created accessibility champions, and made inclusive design everyone's responsibility.
Gov.UK beta: Accessibility
Implemented accessibility settings, then discovered nobody was using them;
Switched to a highly accessible font, and moved to a generous default text size;
Simplified the language, and reduced the content to manageable chunks.
Transit typeface
Gov.UK live: Goals
To add new features, test them quickly, and rapidly make changes based on feedback from users.
Gov.UK live: Accessibility policy
BS8878 didn't fit the agile approach we wanted to take.
Gov.UK live: Accessibility statements
No need to present an accessibility statement, because inclusive design is a core principle.
Making agile accessibility
work
Accessibility champions
Bring people with accessibility knowledge and experience into your team.
Agile testing
Build iterative accessibility checks into every sprint.
Conformance testing
Carry out accessibility audits after milestone sprints.
Accessibility testing
Carry out testing with older and disabled people after milestone sprints.
Maintenance testing
Continue agile, conformance and accessibility testing throughout the lifetime of your service.
Meeting the digital by default
standard
Digital by default: Standards
Your service should aim to meet Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 as a starting point.
Digital by default: Testing
Your service should be tested by disabled people, older people, and people who use assistive technologies;
You should aim to do this at least twice as your service is developed.
Digital by default: Policies and statements
The GDS team is not comfortable with a statement that draws a distinction between accessibility and any other aspect of best practice development.
Digital by default: Why we do it
The services we provide are for the benefit of all citizens of the United Kingdom. As such, no user should be excluded on the basis of disability.
Digital by default: Legal
To do so would breach the Equality Act 2010.
Building accessibility
into SLC
SLC: Part of the team
We work on site with the digital delivery team, and their development partners.
SLC: Sprinting ahead
We prototype interactions, predict accessibility challenges and rapidly iterate solutions.
SLC: Knowledge sharing
We educate designers and developers, leaving a legacy of skill.
SLC: Agile accessibility
We provide fast accessibility checks during sprints;
Comprehensive audits after milestone sprints;
Regular testing with disabled young people.
Enjoying the benefits
Gov.UK: On time
The Gov.UK alpha took 12 weeks to create;
The Gov.UK beta took 15 months;
Both launched on time.
SLC: Happy customers
70% of loan applicants were "extremely satisfied" with the process;
Moving online increased daily applications from 30% to 70%;
People who applied online were 218% more satisfied than those using paper..
Questions?Léonie Watson, Director of Accessibility Nomensa
@LeonieWatson @we_are_Nomensa
T. +44 (0)117 929 7333
W. nomensa.com